February is Earthquake Awareness Month in Missouri

Great Central U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill on Feb. 7 is a way for Missourians to get involved in earthquake preparedness

More than 350,000 Missourians are already registered to participate in the Great Central
U.S. ShakeOut earthquake drill on Feb. 7, the best opportunity for residents across the state
to take part in Missouri Earthquake Awareness Month.

Missouri is one of nine states taking part in the ShakeOut, an earthquake drill held at 10:15 a.m.
on Feb. 7. During the ShakeOut, participants will practice the "Drop, Cover, Hold On”
technique for 60 seconds. More than one million people in the central U.S. will:

· DROP to the ground

· Take COVER by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and

· HOLD
ON to it until the shaking stops

Feb. 7 is the 201st anniversary of the largest earthquake to ever occur in Missouri.

"Unlike other natural disasters, earthquakes provide no warning before they occur," said State
Emergency Management Agency Director Donald L. King. "Scientists can't predict when
the next big earthquake will hit Missouri, but the best way to ensure earthquake safety is to plan
and prepare so that we are ready when it does happen. Earthquake Awareness Month is a
great opportunity for schools and families to practice and discuss preparedness so that they
know what to do before, during and after an earthquake."

Other events scheduled during Earthquake Awareness Month include:

· Feb. 1 – The Earthquakes: Mean Business seminar will be held at St. Louis
University. Morethan 300 people, primarily from the business community, are expected
to attend the seminar, which will include speakers, breakout sessions and exhibits about
earthquakes and the best way to prepare for them. Registration is required. For more
information go to
http://parks.slu.edu/news-events/upcoming-conferences/earthquakes-mean-business/

· Feb. 9 – Edie Starbuck,
a geologist from the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey will present a program on
earthquake basics, history, preparedness, and the effects earthquakes have and will
have on the population. The program, "The Earth Moves Under Our Feet," will be held
at 10:30 a.m. at Onondaga Cave State Park. The event is free and open to all ages. For
more information, visit
http://mostateparks.com/event/60039/earth-moves-under-our-feet.

· Feb. 9 – The St. Louis
Science Center will host an earthquake awareness day from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m., offering hands-on activities that teach participants how to prepare
homes, families and businesses for earthquakes. The event is free and open to all ages.

· Feb. 16 – The West Park
Mall in Cape Girardeau will host a local Earthquake
Awareness Day beginning at 10 a.m., including displays and information about
earthquakes for the public.

The New Madrid Seismic Zone, centered in southeast Missouri, is the nation's most active
earthquake zone east of the Rocky Mountains. At least three of the largest earthquakes in
history in the continental United States are believed to have occurred in that area in 1811-1812.
The largest of the quakes was centered in the southeast Missouri town of New Madrid and
occurred on Feb. 7, 1812. The earthquakes altered the flow of the Mississippi River, turned
rich farmland into fields of sand and destroyed countless structures. People on the East Coast of
the United States felt shaking and church bells reportedly rang as far away as New England.
Although no one can predict future earthquakes, scientists say it's only a matter of time before
another major quake strikes the area.

In Missouri, a major New Madrid Seismic Zone earthquake would likely be felt throughout the
state, as well as nearby states to the south and east. Missouri has a comprehensive earthquake
response plan in place to assist the 47 counties that likely would be impacted most directly. Visit
the Department of Natural Resources' website for information about the science and history of
earthquakes in the state at: http://dnr.mo.gov/geology/geosrv/earthquakes.htm.

Also, SEMA is using Facebook (www.facebook.com/MissouriShakeOut)
and Twitter
(www.twitter.com/MOShakeOut) to provide additional information about earthquakes,
earthquake preparedness and updates about the ShakeOut. This will continue throughout
February. You do not need to be a member of either social network to view the information on
these two resources.